Government spends K7 billion to repatriate 41,000 Malawians from South Africa
The Malawi Government has spent K7 billion to repatriate 41,000 Malawians from South Africa.
Parliamentary Committee on International Relations Vice Chairperson Frank Mwenefumbo disclosed the figure in the August House while presenting the committee’s report.
Mwenefumbo said the report was based on consultations with ministries, departments and agencies of government responsible for immigration, disaster management and international relations.
He explained that during the consultations, government was initially given a budget of K25 billion to repatriate 15,000 Malawians in June.
“If you have noticed in my report there were some concerns trying to question the figure that was given by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs on how an individual could cost that much,” Mwenefumbo said.
“As a committee we are very pleased with government for spending less than what DODMA had proposed,” he added.
The Vice Chairperson said he found it important to share the information with Members of Parliament who had raised concerns over the DODMA budget presented to the committee.
In seconding the report, member of Parliament for mzimba South West Khumbo Kachali commended government for moving quickly to start the repatriation exercise.
Kachali said the Malawians being brought back were not banished because of wrongdoing, but are hardworking people who were forced to leave.
The Freedom Party President urged government to provide trucks in addition to buses to help returnees transport their belongings.
Kachali who is also the former Vice President and Freedom Party leader noted that most of the returnees have lived in South Africa for several years and have accumulated property.
“What South Africans are doing is chasing Malawians and grabbing the goods they have worked for over several years,” Kachali said.
He added that government should also resettle those being repatriated with financial assistance so that they can restart their lives in Malawi.
